YOGA FOR EPILEPSY

Introduction

Epilepsies are a group of disorders characterized by chronic, recurrent, paroxysmal changes in the neurological function caused by abnormalities in electrical activity of the brain, estimated to affect 0.5-2% of the population and can occur at any age. Seizures are abnormal spontaneous discharges of the brain neurons, may affect part focal or all general of the brain. People with epilepsy have brain cells that create abnormal electricity, causing seizures. In some cases, a seizure may cause jerking, uncontrolled movements and loss of consciousness. In other cases, seizures cause only a period of confusion, a staring spell or muscle spasms. A single seizure is not considered epilepsy.

People with epilepsy have repeated episodes of seizures. Just because someone has a seizure does not necessarily mean that person has epilepsy, though. Seizures can be triggered in anyone under certain conditions, such as life-threatening dehydration or high temperature. Thus, the type of seizure determines the symptoms and signs. The convulsive episode may be preceded by an aura of a fit, hallucinations and a sense of déjà vu. Bladder and bowel disturbances may occur during a seizure. After the seizure subsides, the patient may be in a state of confusion, which may last as long as a day or more. During this period, the patient may have some transient neurological deficit which disappears within a day or so. But when a person experiences repeated seizures for no obvious reason, that person is said to have epilepsy. Many people develop epilepsy as children or teens. Others develop it later in life. For some people with epilepsy (particularly kids), the seizures eventually become less frequent or disappear altogether.

Yoga and Epilepsy

Yoga can be of benefit to some people with epilepsy. It is said to help people become balanced in mind and body and to aid relaxation. The ancient Indian practice and philosophy of yoga is increasingly becoming a focal point of therapy and research in treating epileptic seizure disorders. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that around 50 million people in the world have epilepsy. About 75 per cent of these are with seizure disorders, and they hardly receive any medical treatment. Yoga offers an ancient yet amazingly modern approach to treating seizures. The ancient Indian texts, Vedas describe four types of epilepsy and nine disorders causing convulsions in children. As therapy, the physical discipline of yoga seeks to re-establish a balance (union) between those aspects of a person’s health that cause seizures. The "asanas" or "yogasanas" aid in restoring balance to the body and its metabolic systems. Practicing asanas increase physical stamina and calm the nervous system. Asanas, used as a physical exercise alone, improve circulation, respiration, and concentration while decreasing the chances of having a seizure.

YOGA POSES FOR EPILEPSY

Meditation

Meditation is also an important part of the Yoga exercises to help prevent seizures. Stress can be a major trigger to seizures. Meditation can improve blood flow to the brain, slows stress hormones, and helps to increase the serotonin which helps keep the nervous system calm.

Shoulderstand Pose

The Shoulder Stand stimulates and rejuvenates your entire body. In this exercise, you build up both power and a new structure in your back and you relax tension in well-known stress areas like the neck and the lower back. The muscles of your lower back get stronger, the chest and shoulders can move more freely and the back gets straighter.

Headstand Pose

The Sanskrit word sirsha means head. This posture is the well-known headstand posture, and perhaps second only to the padma-asana or lotus posture, is widely identified with the practice of Yoga. During the practice of Yoga exercises, we not only relax the muscles but we also build up strength, structure and stability in the right spots. In Head Stand, you build up power and structure in both the neck and the upper back and at the same time; you train your arm muscles and coordination.

Plough Pose

A lot people complain about stiffness on the neck and lower back as a result of stress and wrong posture. In the Plough Pose, you stretch the neck and the lower back muscles. The Plough is also good for your digestion and it strengthens the kidneys, the liver and the gall bladder.

Corpse Pose

The Corpse Yoga Pose is considered as a classic relaxation Yoga Pose and is practiced before or in between Asanas as well as a Final Relaxation. While it looks deceptively simple, it is actually difficult to perform.

YOGA ASANAS FOR EPILEPSY

MATSYASANA

This asana is very useful for persons suffering from chronic cough, bronchial asthma, congestion, infected tonsils and other respiratory disorders. Problems relating to thyroid and para-thyroid glands can also be overcome be done to derive the full of Sarvangasana.it is recommended that you breath while holding it for between two and four minutes.

Steps

Sit with your legs fully stretched out. Bend each leg at the knees and place your feet on the other hip joint. Both the heels are adjusted in such a way that each presses the adjacent portion of the abdomen. This forms the foot-lock in a sitting position.

Then, by making hooks of the forefingers, hold your toes on the corresponding side without crossing your arms.This posture should be maintained for some time with slow and deep breathing.

For reverting to the original position, release the foot-lock and return to the supine position by lowering the arch.

SHAVASANA

The benefits of this asana are truly endless. Nothing beats a good bit of relaxation. Do this asana anytime you feel upset or blue. If it’s hard to get out of bed in the morning to face the day, use this posture to give you a little better perspective. If you suffer from insomnia, this is a perfect way to end the day.

Steps

Lie on your back on the floor. Spread the arms out to a 45 degree angle from your sides. Let your legs drop open.

Keep your head resting comfortably.

Close your eyes and breathe deeply. Each breath should expand both the chest and belly. Allow your entire body to feel heavy and soft; literally try to relax into the floor.

Mentally look for places where your body is tense. Should you find tension, focus on that part of the body, tense it and then release. Wiggle your fingers and toes to remove any pressure or stress.

Try to clear your mind. Continue to breathe deeply.

Enjoy a conscious state of deep relaxation.

SHIRSHASANA

This asana is helpful in cases of dyspepsia and constipation. It improves the functions of the reproductive glands and heart muscles and is of great advantage in checking wet dreams.

Steps

Sit in a kneeling position with the buttocks resting on the heels of the feet.

Lean forward and place the forearms on the floor in front while keeping the elbows about shoulder distance apart. Interlock the fingers of both hands.

Place the top of the head flat on the floor with the back of the head pressed against the inside of the interlocked fingers.

Placing the tips of the toes firmly on the floor while lifting the heels, raise the knees off the floor.

Hold for the duration of the held inhaled breath. When you can't hold the breath comfortable any longer, slowly exhale and return the back to the floor, slide the legs out straight returning to the shava-asana.

PASCHIMOTTANASANA

Paschimottanasana is a fine stretching exercise of the body. In one continuous movement, almost all the posterior muscles get fully stretched and relaxed. This helps to improve the functions of the abdominal organs and sets right respiratory disorders. It also helps to improve memory.

Steps

This posture involves stretching of the posterior muscles of the body.

While sitting, stretch your legs forward and keep them close to each other. Bend a little forward, make hooks of your fingers and hold the big toes on the respective sides.

While exhaling, bend forward stretching the trunk along the thighs. Rest your on the knees, which should be kept straight.

Gradually, the tense muscles can be made supple for securing the complete posture. Inhale and return to the original position

SARVANGASANA

It brightens the psychic faculties and awakens Kundalini Sakti, removes all sorts of diseases of intestine and stomach, and augments the mental power. It supplies a large quantity of blood to the roots of spinal nerves. The muscles of the abdomen, the rectic muscles and the muscles of the thigh are also toned and nourished well. Obesity or corpulence and habitual chronic constipation, Gulma, congestion and enlargement of the liver and spleen are cured by this Asana.

Steps

Lie on the back quite flat. Slowly raise the legs.

Lift the trunk, hips, and legs quite vertically. Support the back with the two hands, one on either side. Rest the elbows on the ground. Press the chin against the chest.

Allow the back-shoulder portion and neck to touch the ground closely. Do not allow the body to shake or move to and fro. Keep the legs straight.

When the Asana is over, bring the legs down very, very slowly with elegance and not with any jerks.

In this Asana the whole weight of the body is thrown on the shoulders. You really stand on the shoulders with the help and support of the elbows.

Retain the breath as long as you can do with comfort, and slowly exhale through the nose.